Quiz

Health IQ: Colds

No-one likes to come down with the sniffles, but do you know what causes the common cold and how best to protect yourself?

[Image source: iStockphoto]

1. Does being exposed to cold weather increase your chances of catching a cold?

a) Yes, everyone knows that being cold causes colds.
b) No, but cold weather can make the symptoms worse.
c) No, cold weather does not cause colds.
d) Sometimes, being cold can make you more susceptible to catching colds.

2. Does a snotty green nose always need antibiotics?

a) Not always, green snot isn't always a sign that you need antibiotics.
b) No, green snot is a sign that your cold is coming to an end.
c) Yes, green snot is always a sign of infection and needs to be treated with antibiotics.
d) Never, green snot is a sign of good health.

3. Which of the following statements about colds and holidays is true?

a) You are less likely to catch a cold when you are on holidays.
b) Being on holidays makes no difference to your likelihood of catching a cold.
c) You are more likely to catch a cold when you stay home for holidays.
d) You are more likely to catch a cold when you go away for holidays.

4. Will taking a nutritional supplement prevent a cold?

a) Yes, as long as you take it every day.
b) Yes, providing you take a garlic supplement.
c) Probably not, the evidence is very mixed on whether supplements in general will prevent a cold.
d) Yes, providing you take echinacea.

5. Are you more likely to catch a cold on a plane?

a) No, being inside a plane will make you less susceptible to a cold.
b) Yes, but it's more about being in a confined space than travelling in a plane.
c) Yes, but only if you have never flown before.
d) Yes, but only if you are crossing time zones in the plane.